Different metals and metal complexes have been used as catalysts in many industries such as commodity petrochemicals, fine and specialty chemicals, polymers, environmental services, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Although these catalysts allow for increased reaction rates and selectivity, they can also be toxic, expensive and of limited supply (cf. Pt group metals). This has led researchers to the intensive study of first row metal catalysts, with nickel standing out as the most widely studied to date. As found for other first row metal catalysts, nickel’s easy access to oxidation states 0-3 allows for a number of different one- and two-electron mechanisms and novel transformations. In Chapter 2 we use a phosphine-free, tridentate N,N,N ligand to generate an active catalyst for the C-N cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with amines. The catalyst demonstrated excellent turnover numbers (up to 484) for the amination reactions that are proposed to proceed through a Ni(I)-Ni(III) cycle. In Chapter 3 we investigate the Ni coordination chemistry of a biomimetic SNS thiolate ligand. Protonation of the Ni bis(thiolate) complex, Ni(-SNS)2, removes one SNS ligand, affording crystals of a thiolate-bridged dimer dication, {[Ni(--SNS)]2}2+ that exhibits unique anionic tridentate ligand dynamics. Dissolving these crystals, even in weakly-coordinating solvents such as dichloromethane, gives a mixture of ‘naked’ Ni2+ and paramagnetic, trinuclear {[Ni(--SNS)2]2Ni}2+. Although this equilibrium lies far to the right (no diamagnetic dication visible in NMR), addition of ancillary ligands proceeds smoothly to provide several mono- and dinuclear Ni thiolate products, [Ni-SNS)L]n – potential bifunctional catalysts for further studies. In Chapter 4 we demonstrate using chemical and electrochemical techniques that one-electron reduction of Ni(-SNS)2 triggers quantitative imine C-C bond coupling, forming [Ni(S2N2)]- with a redox-active ligand. Spectroelectrochemical studies indicated reversible oxidation and reduction steps give three stable redox states, ([Ni(S2N2)]0/-/2-), that were characterized by NMR, EPR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and computational chemistry. While the Ni(0) dianion (and not the Ni(I) anion) reacted reversibly with phenol and carbon dioxide, results from Chapter 5 showed that reactions with strong electron-acceptor fluoroalkenes proceeded more cleanly with the Ni(I) anion. The latter reactions afforded a mixture of fluoroalkenyl and fluoroalkyl products resulting from C-F bond activation and electron transfer/H atom abstraction, respectively. In Chapter 6 we discuss our results in the context of the current state of the art and suggest some avenues for future development.

The new ligand L1 [2-[(E)-2,6-diisopropylphenyl-phenyimino]-2H-acenaphthylen-(1E)-ylidene]-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-amine was prepared by stepwise addition of 2,6-diisopropylaniline and 2,4,6 trimethylaniline to acenaphthenequinone. The L1NiBr2 complex crystallized as a pseudo tetrahedral monomer, as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This new catalyst L1NiBr2 and 3 related catalysts, bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenediimineNiBr2 (L2NiBr2), [(N,N'-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-phenanthrene-9,10-diylidendiamineNi-η3-C3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} [(L3Ni-η3-C3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} and N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N'-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-phenanthrene-9,10-diylidenediamineNiBr2 (L4NiBr2) were tested for activity in ethylene polymerization. The super-bulky α-diimine nickel catalysts [(η3- L3NiC3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} and L4NiBr2 successfully produced higher molecular weight polyethylene with a high level of linearity compared to the less bulky α-diimine nickel catalysts (L1NiBr2 and L2NiBr2). The super bulky α-diimine backbone helped to compress the reaction space and therefore impede the ethylene insertion to active centre of the catalyst. For this reason, the catalyst activity for super- bulky backbone ligands (L3 and L4) is lower than for their analogous less-bulky backbone ligands (L1 and L2). In general, for both backbones, the nickel catalysts with all-isopropyl substituents produced higher molecular weight polyethylene with less linearity compared to the nickel catalysts with methyl substituents. Moreover, for the acenaphthene backbone, the nickel catalysts with all isopropyl substituents (L2NiBr2) got a higher activity compared to the nickel catalysts with methyl substituents (L1NiBr2). A similar catalyst activity trend was not observed for phenanthrene backboned catalysts. In contrast, L4NiBr2 showed a higher activity compared to [(η3- L3NiC3H4COOCH3)]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} For all catalysts, the majority of branches, as characterized by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, were methyl branches. Polymers with a high level of branches showed a sharp intensity in the loss modulus measured by dynamic mechanical analysis due to a high level of interfacial chains. A reduction in catalyst activity was observed with all nickel catalysts when supported on silica. However, supporting nickel catalysts helps to improve the linearity of the polymer. The same ligands L3 and L4 were used with palladium and successfully produced two new catalysts [L3PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} and [L4PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-. Catalyst [L3PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} was more active and produced higher molecular weight and less branched polymer than catalyst [L4PdCH3NCCH3]+.{B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-} in the polymerization of ethylene.

The macrocyclic square planar nickel complex, [Ni II CR] 2+ , has been shown to be a useful DNA or RNA structure probe due to its highly site- and conformation specific ability to induce cleavage on exposed guanine residues via the formation of a direct guanine N7-Ni III bond. Since the postulated intermediate [Ni III CR] 3+ is unstable, the detailed mechanism is unknown. In this study, the nature of the interaction of NiCR 2+ and its oxidized products with biomolecules was investigated. A study of the conversion of [Ni II CR] 2+ between a diamagnetic square planar structure and a paramagnetic tetragonal structure in aqueous solution has shown that the conversion is affected by the identity and the concentration of the counter anion. Of the anions studied, it is clear that Br − , ClO 4 − , and CF 3 SO 3 − have a higher ability to promote the conversion to the square planar form for [NiCR] 2+ than Cl − or CF 3 COO − . The oxidation reaction of [NiCR] 2+ with either KHSO 5 or Na 2 S 2 O 8 in a molar ratio of 1/1 resulted in the same stable complex [Ni(CR-2H)] 2+ . A single crystal x-ray diffraction study gave the structure of Ni(CR-2H)(ClO 4 ) 2 . In addition, kinetic studies revealed the oxidation reaction to be first order. The six protons on the two methyl groups of the macrocyclic ligand were also found to be sufficiently labile to exhibit hydrogen/deuterium exchange. The [Ni(CR-2H)] 2+ displays a higher acidity than [NiCR] 2+ by H/D exchange. This observation supports the conjecture that there is an enhanced dπ-pπ* back-bonding effect associated with the presence of the additional imine formed in [Ni(CR-2H)] 2+ . The [NI(CR-2H)] 2+ species with KHSO 5 also displays an oxidation ability similar to [NiCR] 2+ with KHSO 5 in the reaction with a 17 base pair synthetic oligonucleotide. This implies that [Ni(CR-2H)] 2+ is not just an oxidation product of [NiCR] 2+ , but may also play an important role in the reaction with guanine residues in oligonucleotides. The reactions of [NiCR] 2+ or [Ni(CR-2H)] 2+ with linoleic acid under a high concentration of Ni complexes (3.21 × 10 −3 M, 200 fold over linoleic acid) resulted in the unexpected reduced nickel complexes, (Ni 0 (CR-4H)-H + ) − - m/z 311.1 and (Ni 0 (CR-2H)-H + ) − - m/z 313.1, instead of the hydroperoxide product (HpODE-H + ) − - m/z 311.2.

Microporous materials have a wide range of important applications in separation, gas adsorption, ion-exchange and catalysis. Open-framework germanates are a family of microporous compounds and are of particular interest. This thesis focuses on the synthesis and characterization of new open-framework germanates as well as introducing the transition-metal nickel into germanate structures. One new microporous germanosilicate, SU-78 and four new open-framework germanates, SU-74, SU-75, SU-69 and SU-76 have been obtained by using organic molecules as structure directing agents (SDAs). The incorporation of nickel and organic SDAs in the synthesis resulted in five novel nickel germanates, SUT-1, SUT-2, SUT-3, SUT-4 and SUT-5, in which nickel complexes act either as framework-forming components or as structure directing agents. The general synthesis route is described and the variables that affect the synthesis products are summarized. Different techniques applied on the characterization of chemical and physical properties of the products are also introduced. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Submitted. Paper 2: Submitted. Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

No description available.

Para a síntese de um dos quatro possíveis estereoisômeros do ácido 3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico, precursor da forma mais ativa do fármaco Baclofen, foram investigadas duas metodologias alternativas, cujas etapas principais eram, respectivamente, (i) a reação de Michael entre o N-acetamidomalonato de dietila ou de dibenzila com o 4-clorotiocinamato de metila ou fenila, na ausência de solvente e na presença de catalisadores de transferência de fase enantioméricamente puros, e (ii) a reação de Michael entre complexos de níquel (quirais ou aquirais), derivados da glicina, com a (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. A primeira destas metodologias não conduziu a bons resultados, mas a investigação das causas da baixa estereosseletividade, observada para reações empregando tanto tiolésteres como chalcona, permitiu a proposição de um novo modelo de interação catalisador/doador/aceptor, em que o doador é o N-acetamidomalonato de dibenzila e o aceptor é a chalcona. Quanto às adições de Michael dos complexos de níquel, empregados como equivalentes nucleofílicos da glicina, as reações foram bem sucedidas. O par aceptor/doador que se mostrou mais adequado foi aquele composto pelo complexo de níquel, derivado da (L)-prolina, e pela (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. Neste caso, o ácido (2R,3S)-3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico foi obtido em rendimento global de 46%. Este resultado permite prever que, pelo emprego do mesmo aceptor, mas de estereoquímica absoluta contrária, é possível preparar o precursor do (R)- baclofen, que é o enantiômero mais ativo do fármaco em questão. / Two alternative methodologies were investigated aiming the synthesis of one of the four stereoisomers of the 3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, as a precursor of Baclofen, a drug used for the treatment of some neurological diseases. The key step for the first one was the asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl or dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to methyl or phenyl 4-chlorotiocinnamate, in the absence of solvent, and employing enatiomerically pure phase transfer catalysts. A low degree of enantioselectivity was observed for all addition reactions of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to tiolesters or chalcone as Michael acceptors. The investigation of the origin of such lack of stereoselectivity allowed the proposal of a model for the diastereomeric transition states of the Michael addition of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to chalcone. As for the second synthetic methodology, the asymmetry generating step would be the Michael addition of glycine derived chiral or achiral nickel complexes to (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2- pirrolidinone. Best results were obtained for the Michael addition of a nickel complex, bearing (S)-2-[N-(N\'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as ligand , to (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2-pirrolidinone.Such reaction afforded the expected (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, in 46% yield. Such result can be extrapolated to the synthesis of the (R)-configured analog, precursor of the more active stereoisomer of Baclofen.

O presente trabalho apresenta estudos da reação de autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina ou Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV). Estudos espectrofotométricos enfocaram a formação do respectivo íon metálico no estado de oxidação 3+. Verificou-se que S(IV) acelera a autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina em pH=9,2 (tampão borato), com a determinação de alguns parâmetros cinéticos desta reação. A autoxidação de Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV), caracterizada por efeito sinérgico positivo de Ni(II), foi empregada no desenvolvimento de método analítico para S(IV) na faixa de (0-0,12) milimolar. Este método foi utilizado para estudo da autoxidação de S(IV) catalisada por traços de íons metálicos de transição, em meio não-complexante. Estudos por quimiluminescência abordaram a interação das espécies geradas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina e Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com o íon tris-bipiridil-2,2´-rutênio(II). Foi avaliado o efeito de intensificação da radiação emitida, causado por tensoativos ou adições sucessivas de S(IV). A interação das espécies produzidas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com luminol foi aproveitada para desenvolvimento de método quimiluminescente para determinação de sulfito. O método proposto foi aplicado para determinação de S(IV) livre em amostras de bebidas, açúcar e água de chuva (limite de detecção 0,28 nanomolar). / The current work shows studies concerning the sulfite induced Ni(II)/tetraglycine (NiIIG4) and Cu(II)/tetraglycine (CuIIG4) autoxidation reaction in aqueous medium. Spectrophotometric studies focused on the formation of the correspondent metallic ion in the 3+ oxidation state. It was found that S(IV) accelerates NiIIG4 autoxidation at pH = 9.2 (borate buffer). Some kinetic parameters of this reaction have been successfully determined. S(IV) induced CuIIG4 autoxidation, which is characterized by the remarkable positive synergistic effect of Ni(II), was used in the development of a S(IV) analytical method in the range of (0-12)x10-5 mol L-1. This method was used to study the S(IV) catalyzed autoxidation of metallic transition ions, in non-complexing medium. Chemiluminescence studies approached the interaction between Ru(II)/bipy (tris-bipyridil-2,2´-ruthenium(II) ion) and the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation. The emitted radiation intensifying effect, which is caused by the presence of certain surfactants or consecutive additions of S(IV), was evaluated. The interaction between the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation and luminol was used in the development of a sulfite determination method by chemiluminescence. A flow system containing a gas-diffusion unit was used to separate S(IV) from the matrix. Free sulfite was determined in beverages, sugar and rainwater samples, with a detection limit of 2,8 x 10-8 mol L-1.

O presente trabalho apresenta estudos da reação de autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina ou Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV). Estudos espectrofotométricos enfocaram a formação do respectivo íon metálico no estado de oxidação 3+. Verificou-se que S(IV) acelera a autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina em pH=9,2 (tampão borato), com a determinação de alguns parâmetros cinéticos desta reação. A autoxidação de Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV), caracterizada por efeito sinérgico positivo de Ni(II), foi empregada no desenvolvimento de método analítico para S(IV) na faixa de (0-0,12) milimolar. Este método foi utilizado para estudo da autoxidação de S(IV) catalisada por traços de íons metálicos de transição, em meio não-complexante. Estudos por quimiluminescência abordaram a interação das espécies geradas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina e Cu(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com o íon tris-bipiridil-2,2´-rutênio(II). Foi avaliado o efeito de intensificação da radiação emitida, causado por tensoativos ou adições sucessivas de S(IV). A interação das espécies produzidas na autoxidação de Ni(II)/tetraglicina induzida por S(IV) com luminol foi aproveitada para desenvolvimento de método quimiluminescente para determinação de sulfito. O método proposto foi aplicado para determinação de S(IV) livre em amostras de bebidas, açúcar e água de chuva (limite de detecção 0,28 nanomolar). / The current work shows studies concerning the sulfite induced Ni(II)/tetraglycine (NiIIG4) and Cu(II)/tetraglycine (CuIIG4) autoxidation reaction in aqueous medium. Spectrophotometric studies focused on the formation of the correspondent metallic ion in the 3+ oxidation state. It was found that S(IV) accelerates NiIIG4 autoxidation at pH = 9.2 (borate buffer). Some kinetic parameters of this reaction have been successfully determined. S(IV) induced CuIIG4 autoxidation, which is characterized by the remarkable positive synergistic effect of Ni(II), was used in the development of a S(IV) analytical method in the range of (0-12)x10-5 mol L-1. This method was used to study the S(IV) catalyzed autoxidation of metallic transition ions, in non-complexing medium. Chemiluminescence studies approached the interaction between Ru(II)/bipy (tris-bipyridil-2,2´-ruthenium(II) ion) and the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation. The emitted radiation intensifying effect, which is caused by the presence of certain surfactants or consecutive additions of S(IV), was evaluated. The interaction between the species generated in the S(IV) induced NiIIG4 autoxidation and luminol was used in the development of a sulfite determination method by chemiluminescence. A flow system containing a gas-diffusion unit was used to separate S(IV) from the matrix. Free sulfite was determined in beverages, sugar and rainwater samples, with a detection limit of 2,8 x 10-8 mol L-1.

Les α-oléfines linéaires sont des intermédiaires particulièrement importants dans l'industrie chimique et pétrochimique. Elles ont des applications variées mais sont utilisées principalement en tant que co-monomère dans la production de diverses qualités de polyéthylène. Dans ce cadre, ce sont les α-oléfines courtes (butène-1, hexène-1 et octène-1) qui sont les plus intéressantes. Aujourd’hui les α-oléfines sont produites très majoritairement par oligomérisation de l’éthylène en catalyse homogène selon deux types de procédés : Les procédés dits « on-purpose » et ceux dits « full-range ». Les procédés « on-purpose » sont sélectifs vis-à-vis d’une α-oléfine et fonctionnent avec des systèmes au chrome ou au titane. Le mécanisme décrit dans ce cas-là est de type métallacyclique. Les procédés « full-range » quant à eux permettent d’obtenir une large distribution d’α-oléfine et les procédés de ce type font intervenir des catalyseurs de nickel, de fer ou de zirconium. Le mécanisme ici est de type polymérisation dégénérée.L’objectif de cette thèse est de développer un système au Ni qui serait actif en oligomérisation de l’éthylène via un mécanisme de type métallacyclique et qui permettrait donc d’atteindre des sélectivités importantes. Dans le mécanisme métallacyclique l’étape clé est le couplage oxydant de deux molécules d’éthylène dans laquelle le degré d’oxydation du métal passe de n à n+2. Dans cette thèse les couples Ni 0/Ni II et Ni I/Ni III ont été considérés. Des précurseurs de Ni0 et NiI possédants des ligands aux propriétés variées ont été synthétisés et testés en réacteur sous forte pression d’éthylène selon différentes méthodes d’activations. Des études mécanistiques ont été réalisées grâce à différentes techniques analytiques à savoir les spectroscopies RMN et RPE, et un développement important a été réalisé en spectrométrie de masse afin de pouvoir observer des intermédiaires réactionnels. La majorité des résultats expérimentaux ont pu être rationnalisés à travers des études théoriques (DFT) permettant de faire émerger des systèmes catalytiques originaux associés à des voies d’accès et des chemins réactionnels différentiant. / Linear α-olefins are very important intermediates in the chemical and petrochemical industries. They have various applications but they are mainly used as co-monomers in the production of various grades of polyethylene. In this topic, the short LAOs (1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene) are the most interesting. Today LAOs are almost exclusively produced by ethylene oligomérisation with homogenous catalysts and there are two different industrial processes : “On purpose” and “Full-range” processes. “On purpose” processes are selective toward an α-olefin and catalyst used are based on Ti or Cr complexes. The mechanism described with these types of catalysts is a metallacyclic mechanism. On the other hand ethylene oligomérisation with “full-range” processes is done mainly with Ni or Zr catalysts. In these case a large distribution of olefins is obtained and the mechanism described is a degenerative polymerisation mechanism. The aim of this thesis is to develop a Ni-based system which is active in ethylene oligomérisation through a metallacylcic mechanism in order to access good selectivity toward LAOs. In the metallacyclic mechanism the key step is the oxidative coupling of the two ethylene molecules in which the oxidation state of the metal goes from n to n+2. The couples Ni0/NiII and NiI/NiIII has been investigated in this thesis. Ni 0 and Ni I precursors with various ligands have been synthesized and tested in a semi-batch reactor under high pressure of ethylene with various activation methods. Mechanistic studies have been made using various analytical methods such has NMR and EPR spectroscopies and a big effort has been made in the development of a mass spectrometry method to observe reactive intermediates. In addition, almost all the experimental observations have been rationalized thanks to molecular modeling by DFT.

Para a síntese de um dos quatro possíveis estereoisômeros do ácido 3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico, precursor da forma mais ativa do fármaco Baclofen, foram investigadas duas metodologias alternativas, cujas etapas principais eram, respectivamente, (i) a reação de Michael entre o N-acetamidomalonato de dietila ou de dibenzila com o 4-clorotiocinamato de metila ou fenila, na ausência de solvente e na presença de catalisadores de transferência de fase enantioméricamente puros, e (ii) a reação de Michael entre complexos de níquel (quirais ou aquirais), derivados da glicina, com a (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. A primeira destas metodologias não conduziu a bons resultados, mas a investigação das causas da baixa estereosseletividade, observada para reações empregando tanto tiolésteres como chalcona, permitiu a proposição de um novo modelo de interação catalisador/doador/aceptor, em que o doador é o N-acetamidomalonato de dibenzila e o aceptor é a chalcona. Quanto às adições de Michael dos complexos de níquel, empregados como equivalentes nucleofílicos da glicina, as reações foram bem sucedidas. O par aceptor/doador que se mostrou mais adequado foi aquele composto pelo complexo de níquel, derivado da (L)-prolina, e pela (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. Neste caso, o ácido (2R,3S)-3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico foi obtido em rendimento global de 46%. Este resultado permite prever que, pelo emprego do mesmo aceptor, mas de estereoquímica absoluta contrária, é possível preparar o precursor do (R)- baclofen, que é o enantiômero mais ativo do fármaco em questão. / Two alternative methodologies were investigated aiming the synthesis of one of the four stereoisomers of the 3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, as a precursor of Baclofen, a drug used for the treatment of some neurological diseases. The key step for the first one was the asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl or dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to methyl or phenyl 4-chlorotiocinnamate, in the absence of solvent, and employing enatiomerically pure phase transfer catalysts. A low degree of enantioselectivity was observed for all addition reactions of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to tiolesters or chalcone as Michael acceptors. The investigation of the origin of such lack of stereoselectivity allowed the proposal of a model for the diastereomeric transition states of the Michael addition of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to chalcone. As for the second synthetic methodology, the asymmetry generating step would be the Michael addition of glycine derived chiral or achiral nickel complexes to (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2- pirrolidinone. Best results were obtained for the Michael addition of a nickel complex, bearing (S)-2-[N-(N\'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as ligand , to (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2-pirrolidinone.Such reaction afforded the expected (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, in 46% yield. Such result can be extrapolated to the synthesis of the (R)-configured analog, precursor of the more active stereoisomer of Baclofen.